ashamed

[uh-sheymd] / əˈʃeɪmd /

ADJECTIVE

regretting, remorseful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apologetic bashful contrite distraught distressed embarrassed guilty hesitant humble humbled humiliated regretful reluctant repentant shy sorry

WEAK

abashed blushing chagrined compunctious conscience-stricken crestfallen debased demeaned discomfited disconcerted flustered meek mortified muddled penitent shamed shamefaced sheepish stammering stuttering submissive

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm glad happy joyful unrepentant unshy

WEAK

bold defiant immodest not sorry shameless unregretful unremorseful unself-conscious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In retrospect, I’m sorry and ashamed that I never spoke with Charles R. I also never saw anyone else do so.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

Hollywood legend Richard Gere on Thursday said he was "ashamed" of the way the United States is handling migration as he launched an initiative to change attitudes to the topic in Berlin.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

"But the main reason I do it now is because there's so many people that have got a hernia, that are kind of ashamed of it," she said.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

Monroe did the exact opposite, shrugging it off in an interview, in which she said, “I was broke and I needed the money. ... I’m not ashamed of it; I’ve done nothing wrong.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

“I know, I know,” I said, feeling ashamed.

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce

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